Barely two days before the planned hunger protest tagged #EndBadGovernance, the organizers have rejected proposals by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, that 10-day demonstrations be confined rather than street procession across the country.
They argued that the locations announced earlier were convergence points for the kick-off of the demonstration scheduled to start on Thursday, August 1st, in the country.
The organisers rejected the proposal during a meeting held virtually with the Police boss on Tuesday, after he suggested that confined protests in identified locations will work in the interest of the nation as against street rallies.
“It is not advisable to go on street processions because as you are planning peaceful protests, some are planning violence,” Egbetokun cautioned.
However, a lawyer for the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups organising the nationwide protests, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, rejected the proposal of the IGP, stressing that it negates their fundamental rights.
A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), other lawyers, members of civil society organisations, as well as, some arrowheads of the planned protests attended the virtual meeting.
Addressing the protest organizers earlier, Egbetokun stressed that the engagement was part of the Nigeria Police Force’s efforts aimed at ensuring safety of all citizens while upholding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
While emphasizing the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the planned protests, the Police boss acknowledged the group’s right to express their concerns through peaceful protests and reiterated the Police Force’s duty to facilitate such rights within the bounds of the law.
Meanwhile, the IGP has advised the Take It Back Movement, who have indicated their interest to protest, to engage with the respective State Police Commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the safety of participants and the general public, while pre-empting any security challenges and ensuring that the protests proceed peacefully.
Additionally, the IGP strongly advised against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose.
He stressed that organizing and coordinating with the Police and other security agencies are essential steps to mitigate risks, protect the rights of all citizens, and protect the well-being of all involved.
The Inspector-General of Police while reiterating that the Force remains dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens and ensuring that all public gatherings are conducted safely and securely, calls on stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment during the planned protests.
